The granddaddy of all live albums, this double-LP set captures the excitement of a Harry Belafonte concert at the height of his popularity. Sampled from two consecutive performances of identical material, Belafonte at Carnegie Hall was an anomaly at a time when only comedy albums were recorded outside of the studio environment. It wasn't the first live album ever made, but it was certainly the first to be a major financial and artistic success. It stayed on the best-selling album charts for over three years, and remained in print until RCA discontinued pressing LPs.
From the opening trumpet fanfare and brief orchestral overture to the epic 12-minute version of "Matilda" (which set a standard for audience participation), the album never lets up. It is exciting, poignant, thrilling, intimate, and at times, spontaneously hilarious. Belafonte's mastery in front of an audience was never better displayed than here, a mastery that has resulted in him becoming one of the most popular concert draws in history. Producer Bob Bollard and orchestra leader Bob Corman deftly integrated the 47-piece orchestra into the performance but knew when to lay back to let Belafonte sing, accompanied by a small combo of two guitars, bass, and percussion. The concert is divided in three sections: "Moods of the American Negro," "In the Caribbean," and "Around the World." All the hits are here: "Day O," "Jamaica Farewell," "Mama Look A Boo Boo," and others, plus calypso, folk songs, chain gang songs, spirituals, and songs from other lands, representing a veritable best-of package of his first decade with RCA Victor. For sheer scope and genius of performance, this is the quintessential Belafonte package. { Cary Ginell - All Music Guide }

This album was recorded on April 19 and April 20, 1959. And it won Grammy Award for Best Engineered Album (Non-Classical) in 1960 for the recording engineer, Robert Simpson.

You can tell by the label that this is a reissue (late 70s I believe). The original would have "Living Stereo" across the bottom of the label, with the dog and phonograph at 12 o'clock, and a deep groove. I'm not knocking this pressing, it may sound great or even better than the original, I'm just a stickler for details. :)

It is a re-print, not re-issue. Printed by RCA around 70s era, therefore it was over 40 years old.
A re-print is vinyls issued by the original label from original master unless stated otherwise.
Classic Records re-issued this album around 2005. This is a re-issue which printed by different label from the original, and may be remastered. Re-issuing usually happen whenever the original label does not print the album anymore (out-of-print), then some other label purchase the license to print (which may include the permission to use original artwork).

Dear Sir: Im sorry for bother you, but im unable to play any of the FLAC files. After download from both Megaupload and Rapidshare, im still unable to play the songs. On every Flac file (from both sources, MU and RS), only few seconds are reproduced, and then the player aborts (Windows Media Player 11, Media Player Classic, Gom Player).No other Flac file (from other sources) have any problem. I was very happy to found your post. This album belongs to the memories of my most extreme childhood. There is any chance to get the album posted again?. If not, what player must be used to listen?. i'm sorry again, but im very interested in this great album
SOLVED: While writing this, started a search for FLAC specific player. I have found foobar2000 audio player from Peter Pawlowski. Whether is or not Flac specific, it reproduces all the files whitout problem.
Maybe will help other people
Now im listening the songs. GREAT...INCREDIBLE SOUND...THANKS